Chessy
Richter-Veresov Attack: Nc6 — Play It with Confidence
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bg5 Nc6 4.e3, you have reached a lively branch of the Richter-Veresov Attack. Stockfish rates this position +0.24, a tiny edge for White — which means you are very slightly better here, though realistically the game is dead level. With 52.0% wins for White across over 72,000 games, this line scores respectably at the club level. Below we'll walk through Black's main replies, the engine's top recommendation, and a common mistake to watch for so you can play the drill with a clear plan in mind.
Play the Richter-Veresov Attack: Nc6 against the engine
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The Richter-Veresov with ...Nc6 is not about grabbing space in the centre on move four. By playing 3.Bg5 you pin Black's knight and put immediate pressure on the d5 pawn, and 4.e3 solidifies your centre while keeping options open. Your light-squared bishop can go to d3 or e2, and you are ready to develop naturally with Nf3, Bd3, 0-0, and maybe later a quick c3 or queenside expansion. Black's position is solid but unambitious — the engine's tiny +0.24 reflects that. You are not chasing a forced win, but a comfortable middlegame where you have slightly easier development and some pressure to build on.
The Engine's Top Line
Stockfish's favourite continuation after 4.e3 is 4...Bf5. This develops Black's light-square bishop outside the pawn chain and fights for control of e4. From there the engine suggests 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bb5. This line makes a lot of sense: you develop the knight, strike at Black's knight on c6 with a pin of your own, and keep your castling options open. Notice you are not rushing to play c4 — you are happy to let Black's bishop sit on f5 while you complete development. In the drill below, if Black plays 4...Bf5, you can trust the engine's response as a strong, principled plan.
What the Statistics Reveal
Over 72,499 games, here is how Black's main replies score for you: - 4...Bf5 (17,700 games) — White scores 51.1%. - 4...e6 (16,452 games) — White scores 51.2%. - 4...h6 (15,561 games) — White scores 52.7%. - 4...e5 (8,011 games) — White scores 53.4%. - 4...Bg4 (4,205 games) — White scores 52.2%. - 4...Ne4 (4,163 games) — White scores 52.4%. The winning percentages are all clustered in a narrow band from 51–53%, which confirms the engine's assessment: this is a balanced opening that rewards understanding over surprise. The most common moves — Bf5, e6, and h6 — are all solid, so focus on your own development rather than hoping for a blunder.
The One Mistake You Can Punish
One move stands out as a real error for Black: 4...e5. According to the engine, this loses about 1.2 pawns compared to the best move Bf5. Why? Black attacks the centre prematurely without enough development, and after 4.e3 your pawn on d4 is well defended. After 4...e5, your best reply is to capture — dxe5 — and Black's d5 pawn becomes weak, or you can support the centre with Nf3 and let Black's pawns become targets. Over 8,011 games, White scores a healthy 53.4% after 4...e5, the highest win rate against any of Black's options. If your opponent plays this, stay calm, keep your structure solid, and you will have the better chances.
Results across 72,499 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bf5 | 17,700 | 51.1% |
| e6 | 16,452 | 51.2% |
| h6 | 15,561 | 52.7% |
| e5 | 8,011 | 53.4% |
| Bg4 | 4,205 | 52.2% |
| Ne4 | 4,163 | 52.4% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Richter-Veresov Attack?
It begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bg5. Instead of playing the Queen's Gambit (c4) or the London (Bf4), White pins the knight on f6 and attacks the d5 pawn. The Nc6 line covered here arises when Black defends with 3...Nc6, and White usually replies 4.e3.
Is the Richter-Veresov Attack good for beginners?
Yes, it is a solid system that avoids heavy theory. With 52.0% White wins in the Nc6 line and a nearly equal evaluation, you can play it with confidence. Just develop naturally — Nf3, Bd3, 0-0 — and look to put pressure on Black's centre.
How should I respond to 4...h6 as White?
4...h6 is Black's third most common reply (15,561 games). White scores 52.7% after it. The h6 move attacks your bishop; a standard reaction is 5.Bxf6 exf6, giving Black doubled f-pawns. You then develop normally with Nf3, Bd3, and 0-0, playing against Black's slightly damaged pawn structure.
What is Black's best move after 4.e3?
The engine says 4...Bf5 is best, and it is also the most popular choice (17,700 games). After 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bb5, the position is balanced. Over 51.1% of those games still end in a White win, so you have nothing to fear — just follow the engine's developing plan.